COLUMBIANA Sewer fees to increase

New rates would take effect Jan. 1
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- City sewer customers will see sewer fee increases in 2004 and 2005.
City Finance Director Mary Louise Dicken said the increases are required by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The USDA's rural development division is funding a substantial portion of a nearly $14 million project to upgrade the city's sewage treatment plant.
Rural development is providing a $4.8 million grant and $7.2 million loan. The increases are required for the city to pay back the loan.
City council is to formally approve the fee increases at its Nov. 4 meeting. The new fees will take effect Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 1, 2005, Dicken said.
She said the rural development division set the new rates. Fees are based on 1,000 gallons monthly usage.
Customers in the city now pay $5.66 for sewer service, while customers outside the city pay $8.49.
The 2004 rates will be $6.54 for customers inside the city limits and $9.81 for customers outside the city.
The 2005 rates will be $7.43 for city customers and $11.14 for customers outside the city.
The balance of the project will be paid with a federal economic development grant.
Will meet OEPA standards
City Manager Keith Chamberlin has said the improvements will increase the capacity of the treatment plant and meet Ohio Environmental Protection Agency standards and accommodate growth.
He said Tom Hall of Finkbeiner, Pettis & amp; Strout Inc., consulting engineers of Akron, designed the improvements based on projected 20-year growth of the city.
Besides the revenue from sewer rates, the city will pay back loans through tap-in fees. Council also is discussing charging an additional fee for new development known as an "impact fee."
Chamberlin said an impact fee would be in addition to tap-in fees. Council has been discussing implementing impact fees for some time, he added.
tullis@vindy.com